I Am ARMY: It's Time to Begin

The identity of ARMY the dynamic global fanbase of Korean music group BTS is complex and nuanced. I Am ARMY locates documents and celebrates just some of the unique identities within the diverse fandom. A collection of autoethnographic essays each chapter in this book contains an ARMY experience which transcends the personal entirely. As such they sit as part of a broader socio-political examination and critique of the world we live in today. I Am ARMY gives the reader a chance to immerse themselves in the world of an ARMY living an entirely different life and the opportunity to understand just how socially constructed and influenced our lived-experiences truly are. Co-editor Eaglehawk frames the socio-political stories in I Am ARMY as accounts of practicing revolutionaries and introduces BTS as participatory revolutionaries. Drawing upon universal truths detailed throughout the book Eaglehawk develops a set of components for what she calls the Love Yourself Speak Yourself Revolution which is currently underway. Within this book you will find the answers to questions such as: why are fandoms devalued? how can I learn to love myself? and how can I be a feminist and an ARMY? Above all else you will find a little piece of yourself written on the page; for each of us are ARMY each of us are human. I Am ARMY serves as a reminder that despite how disconnected we may feel from the world how disheartened or downtrodden we are not alone; ARMY or not. EssaysEmerging victorious by Naazneen and Tagseen SamsodienThe day that didnt break me by Anna ShafferFrom fake love to self-love by Manilyn GumapasHow BTS contributes towards an awareness of myself by Lily LowI am ARMY I am revolutionary by Wallea EaglehawkFinding BTS gave me back myself by Courtney LazoreSpeaking myself by Sharon ChenARMY as a feminist identity by Keryn Ibrahim